YEAR 5 GOLDEN NUGGETS

~ Fascinating Forces ~
(6 science tasks)
National Curriculum coverage, by the end of the 6 sessions
- Scientific enquiry skills
- Forces
- Earth and Space

NC: Explain that unsupported objects fall towards the Earth because of the force of
gravity acting between the Earth and the falling object.
IPC: Gravity and falling objects
Comparing mass and weight
 Gravity is a pull between two objects.
 Because of the large mass of Earth, objects are pulled down towards the
centre of the planet by gravity. They are stopped by the Earth’s surface.
 Further away from Earth (in space), Earth’s gravity has less effect.

NC: Take measurements, using a range of scientific equipment, with increasing

accuracy and precision, taking repeat readings when appropriate.
IPC: Using a Newton Meter
 A Newton Meter measures how hard gravity is pulling an object.

NC: Identify the effects of air resistance, water resistance and friction that act
between moving surfaces.
IPC: Using air resistance to slow objects
What density is and how it affects the buoyancy of objects
 Friction is a force that slows down moving objects.
 When friction is high, surfaces cannot move easily over one another.
 Friction in the air is called ‘air resistance’ and slows down objects moving
through air, such as parachutes.
 Objects float if they have a lower density than water.
 Buoyancy refers to whether or not an object floats in water. Objects that can
float are ‘buoyant’ or ‘buoyant positive’.

NC: Recognise that some mechanisms, including levers, pulleys and gears, allow a
smaller force to have a greater effect.
IPC: Harnessing the power of simple machines
 Some simple machines can make a smaller force have a greater effect – for
example, a see-saw lever can let us lift a heavy object with a relatively small
force.